Responsible Research and Innovation Boot Camp

when
8 August 2017
-
22 August 2017

language
English

duration
2 weeks

credits
3 ECTS

fee
EUR 1150

Any researcher will recognize this fear: your thesis, perfectly written and data-rich, lying in some desk drawer waiting to be forgotten. Sound familiar? Science has become a self-referential system, and papers remain unread or even unwritten. But why talk about the impact of papers anyway, and not about their impact on society? Developments in science and technology, such as biotechnology and artificial intelligence, have the potential to profoundly transform our lives. If you care about the social impact of your research, if you want to engage stakeholders and reflect on your own practice, then this is the course for you. This summer boot camp will help you become the best Responsible Researcher that you can possibly be.

What is Responsible Research and Innovation? In a nutshell, RRI describes a way of doing research that allows research outcomes to align with societal values. RRI was presented in Horizon 2020, the EU’s funding programme for research and innovation, immediately attracting widespread interest. RRI is based on four key dimensions: 1) inclusive deliberation, 2) openness & transparency, 3) anticipation & reflexivity, and 4) responsiveness and adaptive change.

The approach has profound implications for researchers. For example, if RRI promotes societal involvement very early in the research process, the researcher must define exactly
what ‘very early’ means. If RRI emphasizes the vital role of reflective learning in research practice, the challenge for responsible researchers is to incorporate this aspect into their daily routine. If RRI promotes openness, the question for responsible researchers is how best to pursue transparency in their own context.

Course leader

Target group

Primarily students of the natural and biomedical sciences, but students from other backgrounds (social sciences, humanities, etc.) are also welcome.

Course aim

Like any other boot camp, this course is short and intensive. The boot camp is:

• hands-on. This boot camp features active participation rather than a heavy focus on theory. Short lectures introduce theoretical concepts, followed by hands-on workshops, often focusing on your own research topics. Speakers include RRI experts from academia and professional practice.
• theory-based. Each day of the boot camp focuses on one of the key dimensions of RRI. We take examples from fields such as science & technology studies, science communication and innovation management. The workshops build a complete picture of RRI in practice.
• interdisciplinary. The course is open to students from all scientific backgrounds. Our source material is varied, incorporating your input and expertise. You will work in teams, creating a cross-disciplinary learning experience.
• creative. Teaching methods and materials are multifaceted and engaging.